THE OWNERS and managers of an unlicensed property have been ordered to repay tenants nearly £2,000 in rent.

The order was made after the tenants were advised of the rights by city council officers.

BC3.01 Limited and MCR2 Limited, the owners and managers of 44 Dean Patey Court, Liverpool 1, were convicted at Liverpool Magistrates Court in November for operating a house in multiple occupancy (HMO) without a licence. A fine of £2,500 plus £1,338 costs was imposed on each of the companies.

Shortly afterwards the City Council’s Public Protection Division wrote to all the tenants at the property advising them of their right to apply to the Residential Property Tribunal (RPT) for a ‘Rent Repayment Order’ in these circumstances.

Three of the tenants later applied to the tribunal which has the power to make an order for the landlord to repay to the tenants the rent paid for up to the previous 12 months.

The Tribunal has now made an order to the landlord to repay a significant portion of the rent paid, amounting to more than £1,890 between them.

Councillor Ann O’Byrne, cabinet member for housing, said: “This has been a very good result for the tenants and should serve as a warning to HMO landlords – if you are not licensed you will not only face prosecution but you could be forced to repay rent or have housing benefit recovered for up to 12 months

“These HMO’s are the highest risk of all tenures. They can be death traps if there is a fire, for example, so we will take every action possible against all owners who ignore licensing.

“There is no excuse as this has been widely publicised, locally and nationally, so my advice is apply for a licence now or be prepared to face the consequences. “And I would also urge all tenants in HMOs who think their landlord hasn’t applied for a licence when they should have done so, to contact us and we will investigate – it may result in you getting your rent refunded.”

The Council’s Public Protection Division can be contacted by phoning 233 3000.